There are several different reasons why the New Jersey Devils have struggled this season. A terrible power play, mind-boggling lineup/ice time decision, and COVID-19/injury issues come to mind. However, none of those three may be as instrumental in the team struggles as goaltending.
It has been an issue for year’s now, and finally, much like many thought last year, it appeared finally fixed. The Devils began the year with their strongest duo in years: MacKenzie Blackwood and Jonathan Bernier. However, a pesky hip has hindered Bernier and Blackwood is struggling mightily. So, just how bad has it been?
The Numbers
The easiest way to describe the struggles is two different tables. The first below shows Devils’ team save percentages in different circumstances:
| Categories – | Statistic – | League Ranking – |
| Overall Sv% | .890 | 30th |
| Five-on-Five Sv% | .908 | 30th |
| Penalty Kill Sv% | .829 | 29th |
| High-Danger Sv% | .778 | 31st |
| Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx) | -13.57 | 27th |
The second below shows the Devils’ team expected goal against statistics and other counting metrics against in different circumstances:
| Categories – | Statistic – | League Ranking – |
| Five-on-Five xGA/60 | 2.53 | 22nd |
| Penalty Kill xGA/60 | 4.90 | 2nd |
| High-Danger CA/60 | 9.87 | 8th |
| Overall xGA/60 | 2.76 | 15th |
The goal of showing each is first, show just how bad the goalies have performed. In every important goaltending statistic the Devils rank right at the bottom. To further demonstrate is a table below with each of the goaltenders who have appeared in a game with New Jersey and their GSAx statistic:
| Goalie | Games Played | Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx) |
| Scott Wedgwood | 3 | -1.14 |
| Jonathan Bernier | 10 | -2.24 |
| Akira Schmid | 3 | -4.64 |
| MacKenzie Blackwood | 16 | -4.87 |
Not a single Devils’ goalie that has appeared in a game this season has played better than expected, nor as expected. Each has let in more goals than they should have. This statistic alone does a great job factoring in aspects such as the quality of the chances being faced. So, this static shows that these struggles are coming despite any bad or good play in front.
The Play in Front is Not to Fully Blame
Furthermore, the second chart shows how New Jersey, as a team, has not nearly been as bad defensively as many are making them out to be. New Jersey has actually done a decent job limiting high-danger chances as they are only giving up the eighth-most on a per game basis. However, given the team’s save percentage of just .778 (2nd worst in the NHL) on these chances, opponents are often scoring when they get their = limited high-danger chances against New Jersey.
The penalty kill is where the struggles by the goaltenders are really being felt. The unit is giving up the second-least amount of expected-goals per 60, yet the unit is only ranked 15th. The explanation for this? The fourth-worst save percentage by team goalies on the penalty kill at a meager .829. The discrepancy between the first bar in comparison to the other two bars in the far-right of the above chart demonstrates exactly this. Furthermore, the difference between the first bar and the other two bars in the ‘Defense’ portion of the above chart has a lot to do with goaltending as well.
Now, the Devils’ five-on-five defense does need some work. Being ranked 22nd allowing an expected-goals against of 2.53 per game is not ideal. But, despite this, having the third-worst save percentage at that strength is not doing anyone any favors.
Devils’ Goaltenders Need to be Much Better
The bottom-line is New Jersey is not getting the goaltending needed to be competitive. Every goalie that has suited up this season has struggled, which has resulted in depressing numbers being posted in all situations. In some circumstances, mainly at five-on-five, the team in front of the goalies has struggled a bit. But, the defense has not nearly played as bad as everyone may seem, ultimately resulting in becoming the scapegoat for the goaltenders dire struggles.
Time is ticking for the Devils to figure it out. If they get even average goaltending, turning the season around is possible. However, given the numbers so far this season, that may be a tall ask. Especially with Bernier set to miss an extended period of time.